US President Donald Trump received the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the White House. Trump then submitted a peace proposal for an end to the Gaza War between Israel and the Islamist Palestinian organization Hamas. The document published by the White House includes, among other things, if both sides would agree to this proposal, the war will be ended immediately. How far the concrete negotiations are initially remained unclear.
Trump proposed a “Peace Council” for the Gaza Strip under his direction. “Nobody is forced to leave Gaza,” it also says with regard to the Palestinian civilian population.
Within 72 hours after Israeli approval, all hostages are to be released, in return Israel releases hundreds of prisoners and gradually withdraws his army. Gaza becomes a demilized, terror -free zone, the Hamas does without any role in administration, its members could receive amnesty or departure. An international stabilization group and comprehensive aid deliveries should begin immediately, and there is also a special economic zone. The Gaza Strip is temporarily managed by a technocratic committee until the Palestinian government has completed reforms. If both sides agree to the proposal, the war should end immediately.
Trump was optimistic about a rapid peace solution in the Gaza War. An agreement is “more than very close”. Trump continued that Netanyahu accepted his peace plan – however, the approval of the radical Islamic Hamas was still pending. He assumes that the Palestinian Group will have a positive reaction, said Trump.
“I support your plan to end the war in the Gaza Strip,” said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a meeting with Trump in Washington.
Trump presented 21-point peace plan
At the weekend, Trump had lived hopes for a breakthrough in the efforts to end the Gaza war. “We will do it,” he wrote in his online service Truth Social. For the first time, everyone involved is “on board”.
According to Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff, Trump presented a 21-point peace plan for the Middle East a few days ago at a meeting with representatives of Arab states.
According to diplomats, this includes permanent ceasefire and the release of all hostages by the radical Islamic Hamas. In addition, the Israeli troops should withdraw from the Gaza Strip. British media report that former British Prime Minister Tony Blair could play a central role in a transitional government of the Gaza Strip.
White house: Netanyahu apologizes to Qatar
The Israeli head of government Benjamin Netanyahu also asked Qatar to apologize for the air raid from the beginning of September, according to the White House. During his visit to the White House, Netanyahu, together with US President Donald Trump, and the Prime Minister Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman al-Thani on the phone, said the White House in Washington.
Netanyahu expressed his “deep regret” that Israel had violated the Qatarian sovereignty and that in the rocket attack on Hamas goals, a Qatarian soldier had been killed in the explanation. Netanyahu has confirmed that “Israel will not do such an attack again in the future”.
At the suggestion of Trump, Israel and Qatar agreed with the United States on a trilateral mechanism “to improve coordination, strengthen communication, to solve mutual symptoms and to intensify joint efforts to defend threats”.
At the beginning of September, the Israeli army flown to destinations in Katar’s capital Doha, which, according to army information, was directed against the management level of the radical Islamic Palestinian organization Hamas. Six people died, but nobody from the top Hamas leadership.
In addition to Egypt and the USA, Qatar plays an important role in the indirect conversations between Israel and Hamas about a ceasefire in the Gaza War and the release of the hostages held by Hamas.
Note: This article has been updated and further information was added.
